Carotid Intima-Media Thickening Indicates a Higher Vascular Risk Across a Wide Age Range

Abstract

Background and Purpose-Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is an independent predictor of vascular events in age groups Ͼ45 years. However, there is little information about the predictive value of IMT in younger individuals. Methods-In the Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression Study (CAPS; nϭ5056; age range 19 to 90 years; mean age 50.1 years), common carotid artery (CCA) IMT, bifurcation IMT, internal carotid artery IMT and vascular risk factors were evaluated at baseline. The incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and death was determined prospectively. Data for younger (Ͻ50 years; nϭ2436) and older subjects (Ն50 years; nϭ2620) were analyzed separately using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results-During

Maternal Diet During Pregnancy and Carotid Intima–Media Thickness in Children

“…13 The range of IMT in our study, as in other studies of children, 15 was narrower than in older subjects, although values at the top end of the distribution were similar to those observed in some adults. 13 The predictive value of childhood IMT is unknown, but our finding that IMT was increased in children who were heavier, had higher systolic blood pressure, or were less physically active adds to the evidence that early exposure to cardiovascular risk factors may promote atherogenesis. 14,15,36 The observation that lower maternal energy intake in pregnancy predicts increased IMT suggests that the prenatal environment is also important in atherogenesis.…”

“…9,10 Whether there is any relation in humans between characteristics of maternal diet during pregnancy and atherogenesis is not known, although the observation that maternal hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy is linked with faster progression of early atherosclerotic lesions in children suggests that the type and quantity of fat in the maternal diet may play a role in fetal atherogenesis. 11 High-resolution B-mode ultrasound measurements of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) are widely used as a marker of early atherosclerosis in adults 12,13 and predict vascular events across a wide age range. 13 Fewer studies have investigated IMT in children, but children who are obese, hypercholesterolemic, or diabetic have an increased IMT.…”

“…11 High-resolution B-mode ultrasound measurements of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) are widely used as a marker of early atherosclerosis in adults 12,13 and predict vascular events across a wide age range. 13 Fewer studies have investigated IMT in children, but children who are obese, hypercholesterolemic, or diabetic have an increased IMT. 14 -16 Exposure to cardiovascular risk factors in early life has long-term influences on vascular function, predicting IMT and arterial elasticity in adulthood.…”

Gender Differences on Brachial Flow‐mediated Dilation and Carotid Intima‐media Thickness for Prediction of Spontaneous Cardiovascular Events

“…Indeed, recent studies have failed to demonstrate any significant correlation between FMD and IMT in healthy subjects. 2 Prior studies have demonstrated that impaired FMD 3 and increased IMT 4 are independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Nevertheless, recent studies have yielded inconsistent findings on the relative predictive values of FMD and IMT for cardiovascular events.…”

The Effect of Losartan and Amlodipine on Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Atherosclerosis in Japanese Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Hypertension (J-ELAN) study

“…6 Carotid atherosclerosis, another risk of cardiovascular events, 7,8 is associated with LV diastolic dysfunctions. 9 Calcium channel blocker (CCB) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) are most widely used for the treatment of hypertension in Japan, and both are expected to improve diastolic function, independent of their depressor effects.…”